Extension for reducing seed bounce and associated hose attachment

ABSTRACT

An extension for use with a furrow opener is disclosed for properly placing seeds in a furrow. The extension attaches by way of particular attachment brackets to the furrow opener to help direct bouncing seeds into the vertex in the bottom portion of the furrow. The extension comprises an elongated flexible body member defining a general arcuate shape, and also defines an upper segment and a lower segment. The upper segment defines an attachment structure for releasable engagement to the furrow opener. The lower segment depends downwardly and rearwardly from the furrow opener and extends into the furrow. The lower segment has a width dimension decreasing continuously along its length, the width dimension substantially equal to but less than the width of the furrow along the length of the extension. The lower segment terminates at a trailing end, which is spaced above the centrally located bottom portion of the furrow.

This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/881,177 filed on Jun.23, 1997 U.S. Pat. No. 6,082,275 which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to agricultural seed planters and drills. andmore particularly to seed planters and drills which include apparatusadapted to place seeds properly within a seed furrow.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Agricultural seed planting is typically accomplished by multi-rowplanters and drills. Each planter and drill comprise a plurality of rowunits adapted for opening a seed furrow, depositing seeds within theseed furrow, and closing the seed furrow around the seeds. Additionally,many other attachments, such as chemical applicators, may be added tothe row units.

The placement of a seed in a furrow greatly affects the growthcharacteristics of the plant. The seed drops from the planter into thefurrow through a seed tube. The seed tube is designed and positioned onthe planter to drop the seed into the bottom of the furrow. However, asthe seeds pass through the seed tube, they are prone to bouncing, whichaffects the direction at which they leave the seed tube and fall intothe furrow. Also, seeds often bounce off of the soil when dropped intothe bottom of the seed furrow because of the speed with which they dropto the ground.

When the seeds bounce either as they exit the seed tube or after theystrike the ground, the seeds are likely to come to rest on a side of theseed furrow above the bottom, or even outside of the furrow. After theseed is placed in the furrow, the furrow is closed by furrow closers tocover the seeds with soil and form a seed bed. If the seeds areimproperly placed in the farrow, the seeds are in turn likely to becovered by an inadequate layer of soil. The depth that seeds are placedin the soil affects many growth aspects of the resulting plant.

Thus, improper seed placement in the furrow and the resulting affectedsoil coverage causes uneven plant emergence, poor stands, increased weedpopulation, non-uniform maturity, longer insect life cycles, highersusceptibility to chemical damage, and ultimately lower yields.

Attempts to reduce seed bounce include moving the planter at a slowervelocity. The slower planter velocity decreases the velocity at whichthe seed strikes the soil, and also decreases the bouncing of the seedas it falls through the seed tube, both in turn reducing the amount ofbounce to which the seed is subjected. Planting at a slower rate,however, increases the amount of time it takes to plant a given sizefield, thus affecting the farmer's efficiency and his ability to takeadvantage of proper planting conditions.

Other attempts to reduce seed bounce have been developed, including U.S.Pat. No. 5,092,255, issued to Long et al. The Long patent discloses astrap that mounts to and extends beyond the end of the seed tube. Thestrap is flexible and has a flat transverse section, with a continuouswidth of approximately the width of a furrow. The strap extends into thefurrow and is in contact with the soil at all times. During use, thestrap bends rearwardly into an arcuate shape along its length as aresult of being in contact with the soil. It appears that the strap isdesigned to contact the seed when the seed is resting in the soil,thereby potentially damaging the seed. The constant contact with thesoil can also adversely affect the profile shape of the furrow.

Other devices have been developed, such as the device disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 5,425,318, issued to Keeton. The Keeton device is disclosed asreducing seed bounce and providing consistent seed depth and spacing.The Keeton device extends from the seed tube rearwardly and downwardlyto contact the bottom of the furrow in order to press the seed into thesoil. The Keeton device has varying flexibility along its length so thatthe device is flexible in the middle and rigid at the leading andtrailing ends. The rigid trailing end presses the seed into the soil.The Keeton device subjects the seed to unnecessary and undesirablecontact after the seed has come to rest in the trench, causingpotentially detrimental impact on the seed, such as seed coat damage, orseed bruising. Damaging the seed in any way can kill the seed, and thusgreatly affects the stand count. The Keeton device also trails farbehind the opener disks and seed tube, and can interfere with theapparatus used to close the furrow.

It is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art that the presentinvention was developed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the principal object of the present invention to provide a newextension for use with an agricultural seed planter or drill.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an extension ofthe foregoing type which reduces seed bounce.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an extension ofthe foregoing type which directs bouncing seeds into the bottom of aseed furrow.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an extension ofthe foregoing type which guides the seeds to the bottom of the seedfurrow without damaging the seed.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an extension ofthe foregoing type which is effective in all soil types and which may beused with all known seed planter attachments.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an extension ofthe foregoing type which is sturdy and durable but which may be quicklyand easily added to existing seed planters or drills.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent from thefollowing description and accompanying drawings.

The present invention is embodied in an extension for use with a furrowopener for properly placing seeds in a furrow. A furrow opener creates aseed furrow, places seeds within the seed furrow, and utilizes a closingdevice for closing seed furrow to form a seed bed. The seed furrow has acentrally located bottom portion and upwardly and outwardly extendingsidewalls defining a maximum width dimension, the sidewalls intersectingat a vertex in the bottom portion to define a minimum width dimension.

The extension attaches to the furrow opener to help direct bouncingseeds into the vertex in the bottom portion of the furrow. The extensioncomprises an elongated flexible body member defining a general arcuateshape, and also defines an upper segment and a lower segment. The uppersegment defines an attachment structure for releasable engagement to thefurrow opener. The lower segment depends downwardly and rearwardly fromthe furrow opener and extends into the furrow. The lower segment has awidth dimension decreasing continuously along its length, the widthdimension substantially equal to but less than the width of the furrowalong the length of the extension. The extension does not contact thefurrow. The lower segment terminates at a trailing end, and is spacedabove the centrally located bottom portion of the furrow.

The lower segment of the extension has a downwardly facing concave lowersurface which transforms along the length of the bottom segment to adownwardly facing planar lower surface at the trailing end. The lowersegment can also define laterally extending and downwardly curvingshoulder flanges.

An alternative embodiment of the extension has a downwardly facingconvex lower surface which transforms along the length of the bottomsegment to a downwardly facing planar lower surface at the trailing end.The lower segment of this alternative embodiment can also definelaterally extending and upwardly curving shoulder flanges.

Attachment brackets for connecting the extension to various planters anddrills are described also. The brackets allow the proper positioning ofthe extension with respect to the planter or drill, in addition to theproper placement of the extension in the furrow itself. Each of thebrackets include a downwardly and rearwardly extending section forreceiving the top portion of the extension.

In more detail, an attachment assembly is disclosed for properly placingseeds in a furrow for use with a drill having a furrow opener with atleast one disk blade for creating a seed furrow. The extension assemblyalso includes a chute for dropping the seeds into the seed furrow. Theextension assembly includes a bracket having an upper end and a lowerend, the upper end for attachment to the drill and the lower endextending downwardly and rearwardly from the drill, an extensionincluding an elongated body member which provides a generally downwardlyand rearwardly orientation, and also defining a upper segment and alower segment, the upper segment attachable to the lower end of thebracket, the lower segment configured to depend downwardly andrearwardly from the bracket and extendible to the furrow.

Particularly, an attachment assembly is disclosed for an InternationalHarvester type drills wherein the bracket further comprises a topsegment, middle segment, and bottom segment, the middle segment formedat substantially a right angle to the top segment, the bottom segmentformed at substantially an obtuse angle to the middle segment, saidextension being attached to said bottom segment; wherein said bracketpositions said extension in the furrow when attached to the drill, andwhere the bottom segment of the bracket extends downwardly andrearwardly of the drill.

An alternative attachment assembly for a Great Plains type drill isdisclosed wherein the bracket further comprises a top segment, middlesegment, and bottom segment, the top segment attachable to the drill,the middle segment formed at a substantially obtuse angle to anddepending downwardly from the top segment, the bottom segment formed atsubstantially an obtuse angle to and extends downwardly and rearwardlyaway from the middle segment, the extension being attached to the bottomsegment and wherein the bracket positions the extension in the furrow.

An alternative attachment assembly for a John Deere type drills isdisclosed wherein the bracket further comprises a top segment, middlesegment, and bottom segment, the top segment attachable to the drill,the middle segment formed at a substantially obtuse angle to anddepending forwardly and upwardly from the top segment, the bottomsegment formed at substantially an acute angle to and extends downwardlyand rearwardly away from the middle segment, the extension beingattached to the bottom segment; wherein the bracket positions theextension in the furrow.

An alternative attachment assembly for a Tye type drill is disclosedwherein the bracket further includes a top segment, and a bottomsegment, the top segment attachable to the drill and curving downwardlyand forwardly, the bottom segment formed at a substantially right angleto and depending downwardly away from the middle segment, the extensionbeing attached to the bottom segment, wherein the bracket positions theextension in the furrow.

A more complete appreciation of the present invention and its scope canbe obtained from understanding the accompanying drawings, which arebriefly summarized below, the following detailed description of apresently preferred embodiment of the invention, and the appendedclaims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a planter encompassing the instantinvention, and illustrates a tractor pulling a planter made up of aplurality of row units.

FIG. 2 is a section taken along line 2—2 of FIG. 1, and illustrates arow unit having a hopper, a metering unit, a gage wheel, a closingwheel, a disk blade forming a furrow, and a seed tube depending from themetering unit, with the extension of the present invention dependingfrom the seed tube.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged representative section illustrating the extensionof the present invention attached to the seed tube and extending intothe furrow, and seeds falling through the seed tube into the furrow.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged representative section illustrating a seed tubedepositing seeds into a furrow, and clumps of soil resting on the furrowsidewall.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged section taken along line 5—5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged partial side view of the extension of the presentinvention as mounted on the seed tube.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged partial rear view of the extension of the presentinvention as mounted on the seed tube.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged section taken along line 8—8 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the extension of the present invention,illustrating the extension, the seed tube, and releasable fasteners forreleasably attaching the extension to the seed tube.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged section view taken along line 10—10 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged section view taken along line 11—11 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged section view taken along line 12—12 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged plan view of the extension of the presentinvention, illustrating a top segment, a mounting structure formed inthe top segment, a bottom segment, shoulder flanges, and a trailing end.

FIG. 13A is an enlarged plan view of the extension of the presentinvention as shown in FIG. 13, illustrating a groove across the bottomsegment.

FIG. 13B is a side view of the extension of the present invention asshown in FIG. 13A.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged plan view of the extension of the presentinvention, illustrating an alternative embodiment of the mountingstructure formed in the top segment, particularly a slot.

FIG. 15 is an enlarged plan view of an alternative embodiment of theextension of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is an exploded view of the extension of the present inventionillustrating the slot formed in the top segment, and an insert forpositioning in the slot.

FIG. 17 is an enlarged perspective view of the top segment of theextension of the present invention, illustrating the insert positionedin the slot.

FIG. 18 is a section taken along line 18—18 of FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is an enlarged partial side view of the alternative embodimentof the extension of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 15, asmounted on the seed tube.

FIG. 20 is an enlarged partial rear view of the alternative embodimentof the extension of the present invention, as shown on FIG. 19, asmounted on the seed tube.

FIG. 21 is a section taken along line 21—21 of FIG. 19.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the alternative embodiment of theextension of the present invention as shown in FIG. 19.

FIG. 23 is an enlarged representative section view illustrating thealternative embodiment of the extension of the present invention, asshown in FIG. 19, attached to the seed tube and extending into thefurrow.

FIG. 24 is a section view taken along lines 24—24 of FIG. 23.

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the extension of the present invention,illustrating a bracket mounted thereon.

FIG. 26 is a representative section view of the extension of the presentinvention mounted on the seed tube, and illustrating the bracket mountedon the extension with a fertilizer tube placed through an apertureformed in the bracket.

FIG. 27 is a section view taken along line 27—27 of FIG. 26.

FIG. 28 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of thepresent invention, illustrating a sharper angle between the top segmentand the bottom segment, as well as an aperture formed through the topsegment.

FIG. 29 is a front perspective view of the alternative embodiment of thepresent invention as shown in FIG. 28.

FIG. 30 is a section view taken along line 30—30 of FIG. 29.

FIG. 31 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of an alternativeembodiment of the mounting structure as shown in FIG. 14.

FIG. 32 is an enlarged perspective view of the embodiment of themounting structure shown in FIG. 31 in its assembled state.

FIG. 33 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of an alternativeembodiment of the mounting structure as shown in FIG. 31.

FIG. 34 is an alternative embodiment of the extension of the presentinvention, including an upwardly concave top surface and a convex lowersurface.

FIG. 35 is a representational side view similar to FIG. 6 illustratingthe attachment of the alternative embodiment to the seed tube.

FIG. 36 is a representation similar to FIG. 10 illustrating the positionof the top part of the bottom portion of the extension in the furrow.

FIG. 37 is a section taken along line 37—37 of FIG. 35.

FIG. 38 is an exploded view of an International Harvester type drill towhich the extension is attached.

FIG. 39 is an exploded view of the bracket for attaching the extensionto the International type drill shown in FIG. 38.

FIG. 40 shows the extension attached to a bracket for connecting theextension to a Great Plains type drill.

FIG. 41 is a representational view of a Great Plains type drill with thebracket and extension attached thereto.

FIG. 42 is an exploded view of the bracket and extension as shown inFIG. 40.

FIG. 43 is an exploded view of the bracket and extension, the bracketbeing for a John Deere model drill.

FIG. 44 is a representative view of a John Deere drill to which isattached the bracket and extension as shown in FIG. 43.

FIG. 45 is an exploded view of a bracket for use in attaching theextension to a Tye model drill.

FIG. 46 is a representational view of the bracket and extension shown inFIG. 45 attached to the scraper of a Tye model drill.

FIG. 47 is an exploded view of a bracket for use in attaching theextension to a Case IH model 1200 seed boot.

FIG. 48 is an exploded view of a bracket for use in attaching theextension to a IH 56 model planter.

FIG. 49 is an exploded view of a Buffalo planter with associatedattachment brackets.

FIG. 50A is a top view of an extension defining a plurality ofapertures.

FIG. 50B is a section view taken alone 50B—50B of FIG. 50A.

FIG. 51 is a side view of one embodiment of the extension.

FIG. 52 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the extension havinga clip for securing a liquid supply hose.

FIG. 53 is a side view of the embodiment of the extension having a clipillustrated in FIG. 52.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

While the device of the instant invention can be used with a variety ofplanters and drills, it will be initially described in this instance asused with a double disk furrow opener style planter as described below.

An agricultural planter 30, shown in FIG. 1, typically includes a numberof planter row units 32 mounted on a main frame member 34. The planter30 is pulled in a forward direction F by a tractor 36. Each row unit 32forms a seed furrow 38 (see FIG. 2), deposits seeds 40 evenly along theseed furrow, and then closes the seed furrow to form a seed bed 42. Thepresent invention is embodied in a seed placement extension 98, shown inFIGS. 1-3, which reduces seed bounce as the seeds 40 exit the row unit32, and helps position the seeds 40 optimally in the bottom portion 44of the furrow 38 prior to closure of the furrow by the row unit 32.

Each row unit 32, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, comprises a seed hopper 46for holding and dispensing seeds 40, a seed metering unit 48 positionedbelow the seed hopper 46 and which receives seeds from the seed hopper,and a seed tube 50 positioned below the seed metering unit 48 and whichreceives seeds 40 from the metering unit to place in the furrow 38. Afurrow opening apparatus 52 is positioned generally beneath the seedhopper 46, and includes a residue divider 54 at the leading edge of therow unit 32, and a furrow opener 56 positioned more centrally under thehopper 46. The furrow opener 56 is partially encompassed by a pair ofgage wheels 58, and a pair of furrow closer wheels 60 which trail behindthe furrow opener 56 and gage wheels 58.

The seed furrow 38 is formed by the furrow opener 56 attached to eachrow unit 32. Although numerous types of openers are known in the art, adouble disk furrow opener 62 is shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 10 and 11. Thedouble disk opener 62 includes two circular disk blades 64 rotatablymounted on the row unit 32 to form a V-shape at the point of seedplacement. The disk blades 64 have a diameter, and the peripheral edges66 of each disk blade 64 are adjacent to one another at the point wherethey form the V. The gage wheels 58 flank the disk blades 64 to supportthe row unit 32 and allow the disk blades 64 to mold a V-shaped seedfurrow 38 at a predetermined depth within the soil.

The furrow 38 formed by the furrow opener 56 is generally V-shaped, asshown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, with a bottom portion 44 forming the vertexwhere the upwardly and outwardly extending sidewalls 68 intersect. Underideal soil conditions, the furrow 38 maintains the V-shape until closedby the furrow closer wheels 60. In moist conditions, the soil along thesidewalls 68 is pulled loose, causing portions 70 of soil to lodge inthe bottom portion 44 of the furrow 38 and along the sidewalls 68. Also,as the disk blades 64 wear out, they become smaller in diameter and theadjacent edges 66 of the disk blades 64 become spaced apart. As the diskblades 64 wear down, the increased spacing between the adjacent edges 66causes the furrow to gradually transform into a W-shape.

The seed tube 50 extends downwardly from the metering unit 48, betweenthe disk blades 64, and is positioned directly over the seed furrow 38adjacent to the rear 72 of the double disk blades 64, as shown in FIG.2. The metering unit 48 regulates the distribution of seeds 40 from theseed hopper 46 to the seed tube 50. Thus, the seeds 40 are optimallyevenly spaced along the seed furrow 38 as they fall from the seed tube50.

As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 6 and 9, the seed tube 50 is attached to andextends downwardly from the meter unit 48. The seed tube 50 has anelongated hollow main body 74, with a generally rectangularcross-sectional structure defining a rearwardly facing surface 76, aforwardly facing surface 78, and opposing side facing surfaces 80. Theseed tube 50 has a slight arcuate shape along its length in the rearwarddirection. An upper end 82 of the seed tube 50 is attached to the meterunit 48, while a downwardly depending lower and trailing end 84 of theseed tube 50 depends downwardly between the disk blades 64 so as to bepositioned over the center of the furrow 38. The downwardly dependingend 84 defines an opening 86 through which the seeds 40 exit the seedtube 50 and fall into the furrow 38. The lower end 84 of the seed tube50 is swept rearwardly from the upper end 82 as a result of the slightarcuate shape. The forwardly facing surface 78 of the seed tube 50 islonger than the rearwardly facing 76 surface of the seed tube 50, suchthat the forwardly facing surface 78 forms a lower edge 90 of theopening 88, while the rearwardly facing surface 76 of the seed tube 50defines the upper edge 92 of the opening.

A pair of protrusions 94 extend from the rearwardly facing surface 76 ofthe seed tube 50 at a position adjacent the lower end 84 of the seedtube 50. The protrusions 94 are spaced longitudinally with respect toone another along the length of the seed tube 50. Each protrusion 94 canhave an aperture 96 formed laterally therethrough.

The seed tube 50 guides the seeds to the furrow 38, as seen in FIGS. 3,4 and 10. As the seeds 40 flow through the seed tube 50, they bouncearound as a result of interaction with the walls of the seed tube 50 aswell as the movement of the planter 30 over the ground. The rearwardcurve of the seed tube 50, as well as the orientation of the exitopening 86, are designed to compensate for the forward motion of theplanter 30, and ideally the seeds 40 drop into the furrow 38 verygently. However, since the seeds 40 bounce as they move through the seedtube, they oftentimes drop out of the seed tube 50 at a less thanoptimal angle, or the seeds 40 bounce outwardly from the end 84 of theseed tube 50 prior to hitting the ground, causing the seeds 40 to thenbounce upwardly.

The bouncing of the seeds 40 results in the seeds being disbursedthroughout the furrow 38, not only along the bottom portion 44, butalong the side walls 68 and often outside the seed furrow. The bouncingseeds 40 result in the seeds being improperly positioned within thefurrow 38. The improper placement of the seeds within the furrow 38results in various growth related problems as described above. Movingthe planter 30 at a slower velocity reduces the bouncing problem, butdoes not eliminate it. Moving the planter 30 at a higher velocity toincrease the planting process exacerbates the bouncing problem.

As best seen in FIGS. 6, 7 and 9, the extension 98 of the presentinvention mounts on the rearwardly facing surface 76 of the seed tube 50near its depending lower end 84. The extension 98 extends downwardly andrearwardly from the seed tube 50 into the furrow 38, preferably notcontacting the side walls 68 (FIG. 11). The extension 98 extends to thebottom portion 44 of the furrow 38 and terminates at a position justabove the vertex. The extension 98 substantially extends laterallyacross the width of the furrow 38 as it extends longitudinally down intothe furrow.

With the extension 98 of the present invention mounted on the dependinglower end 84 of the seed tube 50, as the seeds 40 exit the opening ofthe seed tube 50 and bounce from the seed tube, the seeds 40 contact theextension 98 and deflect back into the furrow 38. If the seeds 40 bouncemore than once within the furrow 38, they will again contact theextension 98 further along its length and will again be deflected backinto the furrow 38.

As the seeds 40 come to rest in the bottom portion 44 of the furrow 98,the trailing end 100 of the extension 98 passes over the seeds 40without contacting the seeds 40. The extension effectively funnels theseeds to the bottom of the furrow.

Referring to FIGS. 9, 13, 13A and 13B, a preferred embodiment of theextension 98 is shown, and has an elongated main body member 102 with agenerally arcuate shape along its length, and is functionally dividedinto two segments along its length. The top segment 104 of the extension98 is substantially rectangular in cross section, and defines a mountingstructure 105 comprising two longitudinally spaced mounting apertures106, as best seen in FIG. 9. The bottom segment 108 of the extensioncomprises laterally extended shoulder flanges 110 continuously narrowingto a minimum transverse dimension at the trailing end 100. In crosssection, the bottom segment 108 of the extension 98 has a downwardlyfacing concave shape, and as the transverse dimension decreases to thetrailing end 100, the cross section becomes substantially rectangular.

In mounting the extension 98 to the seed tube 50, as best seen in FIGS.6, 9 and 12, the top segment 104 of the extension 98 is releasablyattached to the seed tube 50. More particularly, the protrusions 94 onthe seed tube 50 are positioned within the apertures 106 formed in thetop segment 104 of the extension 98. The engagement of the protrusions94 in the mounting apertures 106 properly position the extension 98 onthe seed tube 50, and acts to inhibit any longitudinal or transversemovement of the extension 98 with respect to the seed tube 50. Tworeleasable fasteners 112, such as plastic tie straps, are positionedaround the extension 98 and the seed tube 50, and are releasablyfastened thereto to hold the extension 98 securely in position on theseed tube 50.

The bottom segment 108 of the extension 98, when mounted on the seedtube 50, substantially continues the rearward curvature of the seed tube50 in a direction opposite the movement of the planter 30, and curvesgenerally in an upward direction away from the ground. The trailing end100 of the extension 98 angles toward the ground.

As best seen in FIG. 3, the laterally opposing and downwardly extendingshoulder flanges 110 are positioned with respect to the seed tube 50such that the top edges 114 of the shoulder flanges 110 are positionedadjacent to and slightly rearwardly of the peripheral edges of the diskblades. The top edges of the shoulder flanges may contact the perimeterof both of the disk blades.64 The shoulder flanges 110 extend across thewidth of the top of the furrow 38, at the furrow's widest dimension. Asthe bottom segment 108 of the extension 98 narrows toward its trailingend 100, the extension 98 extends downwardly into the furrow 38 andcontinues to substantially cover the furrow 38 at any given depth, asshown in FIG. 11. Again, the trailing end 100 of the extension 98terminates in a position a sufficient distance above the bottom portion44 of the furrow 38 such that as the extension 98 moves along throughthe furrow 38, the trailing end 100 of the extension 98 will not contactany seeds 40 laying in the furrow, and thus minimizes any contact damageto the seeds.

The bottom segment 108 of the extension 98 defines an upwardly convextop surface 116 and a downwardly concave lower surface 118, as shown inFIGS. 8 and 10. The downwardly concave lower surface 118 acts to deflectthe bouncing seeds 40 toward the center of the furrow 38. The seeds 40are thus directed toward and land in the bottom portion 44 of the furrow38. This helps place the seeds 40 in the optimal position within thefurrow 38, and helps reduce the number of seeds which come to rest onthe side walls 68 or outside of the furrow 118. In short, the downwardlyconcave lower surface 118 of the bottom segment 108 of the extension 98focuses the deflection of the seeds 40 toward the center and bottomportion 44 of the furrow 38, as shown in FIG. 10.

The transverse dimension of the lower surface 118 of the bottom segment108 of the extension 98 becomes substantially planar adjacent to thetrailing end 100 because the transverse dimension of the extension issubstantially reduced, and a downwardly facing concave surface has lessof an effect on the deflection of the seeds given the proximity of thetrailing end to the bottom portion of the furrow. Also, very few seedscontinue to bounce at that location on the extension.

The extension is flexible along its entire length so that in the eventthe trailing end of the extension comes into contact with the soil, thetrailing end of the extension will easily bend upwardly to minimize anydamage to a seed 40 that may be contacted. Furthermore, while theextension 98 is designed to not contact the sidewalls 68 of the furrow38 during use, some incidental contact may occur. The flexibility of theextension 98 is beneficial during incidental contact with the soilbecause the extension bends to minimize any effect on the furrow.

The extension 98 is preferably formed from a high density polymer toprevent the extension from becoming clogged with mud or moist soils inthe event it incidentally contacts soil as it moves through the furrow38. Aside from its self-cleaning tendencies, other advantages of thepolymer extension include its immunity from rust as well as itsresistance to herbicides, insecticides and fertilizers which may beapplied during planting. Thus, the extension is effective in all soiltypes and may be used with all existing planter row unit 32 attachments.

The mounting of the extension between the disk blades also helps toclean the inner edges of the disk blades at a location relatively closeto the ground and hence the furrow, see FIGS. 10, 11, and 23. Theextension is positioned closely to the inner sides of the disk bladesnear the ground, and act to scrape off mud and dirt stuck to the blades.Thus, any seeds trapped in the mud (in certain planting conditions) whenthe mud is scraped off are more likely to fall back into the furrow, asopposed to being dropped further away from the furrow when the mud comesoff the disk blades by other means (typically further off the ground).

An alternative mounting structure 105′ for use in attaching theextension 98 to the rearwardly facing surface 76 of the seed tube 50, asshown in FIG. 5, includes an elongated slot 120 formed through the topsegment 104 of the extension 98, and a corresponding insert 122. Theslot 120 is oriented longitudinally along the length of the top segment104 of the extension. The insert 122 defines two longitudinally orientedapertures 106 for receiving the protrusions 94 on the rearwardly facingsurface 76 of the seed tube 50. The insert 122 is positionable at avariety of positions within the slot 120. The variety of positionsallows for the bottom segment 108 of the extension 98 to be movedupwardly with respect to the seed tube 50 to compensate for thereduction in size of the disk blades 64 as they wear down. By moving thebottom segment 108 of the extension 98 upwardly with respect to the seedtube as the disk blades 64 decrease in size, the user can maintain theextension 98 in an optimal position in the furrow.

As shown in FIGS. 14, 16, 17 and 18, the top segment 104 of theextension 98 has a thickness dimension 124, including a top portion 126and a bottom portion 128. The slot 120 formed through the top segment104 of the extension defines two width dimensions. The slot 120 throughthe top portion 126 of the thickness dimension 124 defines laterallyopposing, inwardly facing elongated sidewalls 130 spaced apart by apredetermined distance A. The slot 120 through the bottom portion 129 ofthe thickness dimension 124 defines laterally opposing, inwardly facingelongated sidewalls 132 spaced apart by a predetermined distance B,which is greater than the predetermined distance A. The opposing edges130 of the slot 120 through the top portion 126 have a saw toothconfiguration, while the opposing edges 132 of the slot 120 through thebottom portion 128 are planar. A first engagement surface 134 is formedbetween the longitudinal sidewalls 130 of the slot 120 in the topportion 126 and the longitudinal sidewalls 132 of the slot 120 in thebottom portion 128.

The insert 122 is elongated and has a thickness 136 divided into a topportion 138 and a bottom portion 140. The top portion 139 of thethickness 136 of the insert 122 has laterally spaced outwardly facingside walls 142 with a sawtooth configuration complimentary to thesawtooth configuration of the inwardly facing sidewalls 130 of the slot120. The length of the insert 122 is sufficient to encompass theapertures 106 necessary for receiving the protrusions 94 from therearwardly facing surface 76 of the seed tube. The bottom portion 140 ofthe insert 122 has a shape and dimension complimentary to the slot 120formed in the bottom portion 128 of the top segment 104 of the extension98. A second engagement surface 144 is formed at the transition betweenthe top 138 and bottom 140 portions of the thickness 136 of the insert122.

In operation, the insert 122 is received in the slot 120 of theextension 98 such that the sawtooth shaped outwardly facing side walls142 of the insert 122 mesh with the sawtooth shaped inwardly facing sidewalls 130 of the slot 120 and longitudinally position the insert 122 inthe slot 120. The bottom portion 140 of the insert 122 is receivedwithin the slot 120 in the bottom portion 128 of the top segment 104 ofthe extension 98. The first 134 and second 144 engagement surfaces mateto prevent the insert 122 from passing through the top segment 104 ofthe extension 98. Releasable fasteners 112, such as plastic tie strapsare then utilized in the manner described above to attach the extension98 to the rearwardly facing surface 76 of the seed tube 50.

If desired, grooves 146 can be formed in the edges of the top segment ofthe extension to receive the tie straps to help longitudinally positionthe extension 98 upon the seed tube 50.

In order to improve the flexibility of the trailing end 100 of theextension 98, as indentation 148 can be formed on the top surface 116 ofthe extension 98 at a position centrally located in the bottom segment108, preferably rearwardly from the lower edges 150 of the shoulderflanges 110, as shown in FIGS. 13A and B. The indentation 148 forms aliving hinge in the bottom segment of the extension 98 which allows thetrailing end 100 to bend upwardly more easily if the extensionincidentally contacts the soil or seeds 40.

An alternative embodiment of the extension 98 can be seen in FIGS. 15and 19 through 24. This alternative embodiment 98′ has a top segment104′ identical to the first embodiment of the extension 98, and amodified bottom segment 108′. The bottom segment 108′ of the secondembodiment comprises the outwardly and downwardly extending shoulderflanges 110′ forming an upper convex surface 116′ and a lower concavesurface 118′. The bottom segment 108′ of the extension 98′ terminates ata line transverse to the extension adjacent to the lower edge 150′ ofthe shoulder flanges 110′.

The second embodiment of the extension 98′ is mounted to the seed tube50 in the same manner as the first embodiment, and is positioned withrespect to the disk blades in the same manner also. The bottom segment108′ does not extend through the furrow 38 to the bottom portion 44, butinstead extends approximately only halfway down the side walls 68 of thefurrow 38, as shown in FIGS. 23 and 24.

The portion of the extension 98′ extending into the furrow 38substantially covers the width of the furrow 38 along the length of theextension since the extension 98′ narrows to the trailing end 100′. Thesecond embodiment of the extension 98′ exhibits the same deflectioncharacteristics as the first embodiment. This second embodiment of theextension 98′, however, decreases the likelihood of any contact betweenthe extension 98′ and the seeds 40 once the seeds have come to rest inthe furrow 38, while maintaining a desirable level of deflection toposition the bouncing seeds toward the center and bottom portion 44 ofthe furrow 38.

A bracket 152 for holding a fertilizer tube 154 can be seen in FIGS. 25,26, and 27. It is sometimes desired to place liquid starter fertilizeron the seeds 40 after they come to rest in the furrow 38, prior to thefurrow being closed. The provision of a liquid fertilizer reservoir onthe planter 30, and a fertilizer tube 154 extending from the reservoirto the furrow 38 is known.

The fertilizer tube 154 is attached to the bracket 152 on the extension98 so that the end 157 of the tube 154 extends past the terminal end 100of the extension 98. This positioning allows the application offertilizer to the seeds 40 without the fertilizer building up on theextension 98 and making the soil around the extension 98 muddy. Thebracket 152 has a flat, L-shaped main body member 158 defining a longleg 160 and a short leg 162 integrally formed together at substantiallyright angles. The long leg 160 defines a plurality of attachmentapertures which correspond with bracket mounting apertures formed in thetop segment 104 of the extension 98, which are positioned below themounting apertures 106 on the extension 98. The bracket 152 is attachedto the extension 98 by fasteners 168, such as rivets, placed through theattachment apertures 164 on the bracket 152 and the bracket mountingapertures on the extension 98.

The short leg 162 defines an aperture 170 therethrough for receiving thefertilizer tube 154, and assists in positioning the fertilizer tube 154as described above.

The extension of the present invention has been described to this pointas being attached to the seed tube extending downwardly and rearwardlyfrom the row units 32 of planters 30. The extension 98 can also be usedon drills 172, which are similar to planters 30 in that they open afurrow 38, place seeds 40 in the furrow, and close the furrow. Aschematic representation of a drill can best be seen in FIGS. 28, 29 and30. A drill 172 includes a furrow opener 56′, shown as double diskopeners 62′ as described above, a hopper (not shown) positioned abovethe openers 62′, and a chute 174 extending from the hopper down into thespace between the disk blades 64′. The drill 172 utilizes a closer wheel(not shown) pulled behind the drill to push soil into the furrow 38 tocover the seeds 40. The major differences between drills 172 andplanters 30 is that the drills form more closely spaced furrows than doplanters, and as such they plant more seeds per unit area. They also donot have seed tubes 50 but instead have chutes 174. A scraper mechanism176 is typically mounted on the drill 172 to rest against the innersides of the disk blades 64′ to scrape off accumulated mud.

The seeds 40 fall from the hopper in to the chute 174, and are thendropped from the chute substantially straight down between the diskblades 64′ into the furrow 38. The inner sides 178 of the disk blades64′ funnel the seeds 40 into the furrow 38. Since the seeds 40 fall arelatively great distance, they are likely to bounce once they contactthe furrow 38. The extension 98″ can be attached to the scraper 176 byan L-shaped bracket 180, which defines an aperture 184 for receiving areleasable fastener, such as screw 186, as shown in FIGS. 28 and 29. Theextension operates as described earlier to inhibit seed bounce. The topsegment 104″ of the extension 98″ defines an aperture 182 for use inattaching the extension to the L-shaped bracket. The top segment 104″ ofthe extension 98″ is bent at a more severe angle, and is thus does nothave a continuous arcuate shape, relative to the bottom segment 108″ ofthe extension 98″ since the L-shaped bracket extends more severelydownwardly as compared to the seed tube on the planter.

The slot 120 and insert 122 can be formed on the extension 98″ in orderto allow adjustment of the bottom segment 108″ in the furrow.

In another embodiment of the attachment structure 105′, the slot 120′ inthe top segment 104′ of the extension 98′″ has straight, planarlongitudinal edges 130′, and the corresponding mating longitudinal edges142′ of the insert 122′ are also straight and planar, as seen in FIG.31.

The insert 122′ defines a threaded aperture 182′ for receiving athreaded fastener 151. The threaded fastener 151 defines a head 153having a wide annular flange 155, the wide flange having a plurality ofserrations 157 on its lower surface 159. The fastener 152 preferably hasan acme thread, and the aperture 182′ is preferably pre-threaded with acomplimenting acme thread pattern. The insert 122′ is held in place onthe top segment 104′ of the extension by placing the insert 122′ inmated engagement with the slot 120′, as generally described above,inserting the threaded fastener 151 into the aperture 182′ andtightening the threaded fastener 151 down sufficiently so that thebottom surface 159 of the flange 155 engages the top surface 161 of theupper segment 104′ and draws the insert 122 tightly into the slot 120.The flange 155 extends across the width of the insert 122′ and overlapsonto the top surface 161 of the top segment 104′ (FIG. 32) to hold theinsert 122′ in a fixed relationship to the top segment 104′. Theserrations 157 on the bottom surface 159 of the annular flange 155 gripthe material of the extension 98′″ to minimize the chance of thethreaded fastener 151 loosening by unthreading.

To adjust the amount the extension 98′″ extends beyond the seed tube 50,the fastener 151 is unscrewed from the aperture 182′, by for instance ascrew driver (not shown), a sufficient amount to disengage the bottomsurface 159 of the flange 155 from the top surface 161 of the topsegment 104′ extension 98′″. The insert 122′ can then be slid along theslot 120 to the desired position, at which time the fastener 151 istightened into the aperture 182′ to re-engage the bottom surface 159 ofthe flange 155 with the top surface 161 of the top segment 104′.

Alternatively in this embodiment of the mounting structure 105′, asshown in FIG. 33, the fastener 151′ can be received into the aperture182″ through the bottom of the insert 122′, with a top portion 163 ofthe fastener 151′ extending past the top surface 161 of the top segment104′. The aperture 182″ is preferably slightly undersized for thefastener 151′, allowing the fastener 151′ to tap its own thread. A nut165, defining an annular flange 167 having a serrated lower surface 169,the flange 167 extending across the insert 122′ and overlapping the topsurface 161 of the top segment 104′, is positioned on the fastener 151and tightened thereto. The lower surface 169 is brought into engagementwith the top surface 161 of the top segment 104′ to fixedly position theinsert to the extension 98″″.

The insert 122′ can be repositioned in the slot 120′ by loosening thenut 165, for instance with a wrench (not shown), to disengage the bottomsurface 169 of the flange 167 from the top surface 161, sliding theinsert 122′ within the slot 120′, and tightening the nut 165 back down.The head 171 of the fastener 151′ is designed to fit flush with thebottom surface 173 of the insert 122′ so as to not interfere with theattachment of the extension 98′ to the seed tube 50.

An alternative embodiment of the extension of the present invention isshown in FIGS. 34 through 37. The alternative embodiment 250 mounts onthe rearwardly facing surface 76 of the seed tube 50 near its dependinglower end 84. The extension 250 extends downwardly and rearwardly fromthe seed tube into the furrow 38. The extension 250 extends to thebottom portion 44 of the furrow 38 and terminates at a position justabove the vertex. The extension substantially extends laterally acrossthe width of the furrow 38 as it extends longitudinally down into thefurrow. With the extension of the present invention mounted on thedepending lower end 84 of the seed tube 50, as the seeds 40 exit theopening of the seed tube 50 and bounce from the seed tube, the seeds 40contact the extension and deflect back into the furrow 38. If the seedsbounce more than once within the furrow, they will again contact theextension further along its length and will again be deflected back intothe furrow 38. As the seeds 40 come to rest in the bottom portion 44 ofthe furrow 98, the trailing end of the extension passes over the seeds.

This alternative embodiment of the extension 250 has an elongated mainbody 252 member with a generally arcuate shape along its length, and isfunctionally divided into two segments along its length. The top segment254 of the extension is substantially rectangular in cross section, anddefines a mounting structure 256 comprising two longitudinally spacedmounting apertures 257 as best seen in FIG. 34. The bottom segment 258of the extension comprises laterally extending shoulder flanges 260continuously narrowing to a minimum transverse dimension at the trailingend 262. In cross section, the bottom segment 258 of the extension 250has an upwardly facing concave shaped surface, and a downwardly facingconvex surface, and as the transverse dimension decreases to thetrailing end 262, the cross section becomes substantially rectangular.

In mounting the extension 250 to the seed tube 50, as best shown in FIG.35, the top segment 254 of the extension is releasably attached to theseed tube 50. More particularly, the protrusions 94 on the seed tube 50are positioned within the apertures 257 formed in the top segment 254 ofthe extension 250. The engagement of the protrusions 94 and the mountingapertures 257 properly position the extension 250 on the seed tube 50,and acts to inhibit any longitudinal or transverse movement of theextension with respect to the seed tube. Two releasable fasteners 264,such as plastic tie straps, are positioned around the extension 250 andthe seed tube 50, and are releasably fastened thereto to hold theextension 250 securely in position on the seed tube 50.

The bottom segment 258 of the extension, when mounted on the seed tube50, substantially continues the rearward curvature of the seed tube in adirection opposite the movement of the planter, and curves generally inan upward direction away from the ground. The trailing end 262 of theextension 250 angles towards the ground. As best shown in FIGS. 34 and35, the laterally opposing and upwardly extending shoulder flanges 260are positioned with respect to the seed tube 50 such that the top edges266 of the shoulder flanges are positioned adjacent to and slightlyrearwardly of the peripheral edges of the disk blades 268. The top edges266 of the shoulder flanges 260 may contact the perimeter of both of thedisk blades 268. The shoulder flanges 260 extend across the width of thetop of the furrow 38, at the furrow's widest dimension. As the bottomsegment 258 of the extension 250 narrows towards its trailing end 262,the extension 250 extends downwardly into the furrow 38 and continues tosubstantially cover the furrow at any given depth. Again, the trailingend 262 of the extension 250 terminates in a position of sufficientdistance above the bottom portion 44 of the furrow 38 such that as theextension moves along through the furrow 38, the trailing end 262 of theextension preferably will not contact the seeds laying in the bottomportion 44 of the furrow 38, and thus minimizes any contact damage tothe seeds.

The bottom segment 258 of the extension 250 defines an upwardly concavetop surface 270 and a downwardly convex lower surface 272, as shown inFIGS. 35 and 37. The downwardly convex lower surface 272 acts to deflectthe bouncing seeds and keep them from bouncing out of the furrow 38.This action helps place the seeds 40 in the optimal position within thefurrow 38, and helps reduce the number of seeds which bounce out of thefurrow. In short, the downwardly convex lower surface of the bottomsegment of the extension deflects the seeds similar to that shown inFIG. 10.

The transverse dimension of the lower surface 272 of the bottom segment258 of the extension 250 becomes substantially planar adjacent to thetrailing end 262 because the transverse dimension of the extension issubstantially reduced. Also, very few seeds 40 continue to bounce atthat location on the extension.

The extension 250 is flexible along its entire length so that in theevent the trailing end 262 of the extension 250 comes into contact withthe soil or the seeds, the trailing end of the extension will easilybend upwardly to minimize any damage. Furthermore, while the extension250 is designed to not contact the sidewall of the furrow during use,some incidental contact may occur. The flexibility of the extension 250is beneficial during incidental contact with the soil because theextension bends to minimize any effect on the furrow 38.

The extension 250 is preferably formed from a high density polymer toprevent the extension from becoming clogged with mud or moist soils inthe event it incidentally contacts the soil as it moves through thefurrow 38. Aside from its self-cleaning tendencies, other advantages ofthe polymer extension include its immunity from rust as well as itsresistance to herbicides, insecticides, and fertilizers which may beapplied during planting. Thus, the extension 250 is effective in allsoil types and may be used with all existing planter row unitattachments.

The downwardly facing convex lower surface 272 of the lower portion 258of the extension 250 also serves to minimize the clogging of theextension when the extension contacts the sidewalls of the furrow. Thelongitudinal edges 274 of the extension 250 may well contact thesidewalls of the furrow 38 as a result of several factors, includingworn disks, uneven furrow depth, or bouncing. The downwardly convexsurface 272 of the extension 250 reduces the amount of dirt scraped offthe furrow walls when the longitudinal edges 274 engage the furrowwalls.

In certain types of soil, the contact of the longitudinal edges 274 isbeneficial. When the longitudinal edges 274 of the extension 250 contactthe furrow wall, a layer of dirt is scraped off the furrow 38 walltowards the bottom 44 of the furrow. This dirt scraped from thesidewalls covers the seeds 40 positioned at the bottom 44 of the furrowand improves seed to soil contact and reduces the chance of air pocketsnear the seeds, which would cause early germination of the seed, andresult in poor seed growth. In addition, the contact of the longitudinaledges of the extensions 250 (or of any of the embodiments) help thetrailing end 202 of the extension 250 ride above the bottom of thefurrow. The extension can also be adjusted vertically, such as by movingthe fastener along a slot formed in the top segment or portion thereof,to allow for different furrow depths. In addition, contacting the sidewall can smooth the side wall in some furrows.

This embodiment of the extension 250 is mounted to the seed tube 50 inthe same manner as the previously described embodiments, and ispositioned with respect to the disk blades in the same manner also. Thealternative mounting structures described above for the other extensionembodiments are also equally applicable to the mounting of thisembodiment of the extension 250.

Preferably, the trailing end 262 of the extension 250 (and thepreviously mentioned extensions) is positioned approximately one-quarterto one-half of an inch above the bottom of the seed furrow 38, andshould preferably not exceed the range of just above the bottom of theseed furrow to approximately three quarters of an inch above the bottomof the seed furrow 38.

The top portion 300 and the bottom portion 302 are angularly offset fromone another. The angle between the top 300 and bottom 302 portions canbe changed as necessary to facilitate the proper attachment toparticular implement (planter or drill) and to allow the bottom portion302 of the extension 304 to be properly positioned over and into thefurrow 38. FIG. 51 shows a preferred orientation of the extension 304,attached to a bracket 305, with respect to the furrow 38, where the topportion 300 is at an angle α of approximately 10 to 90 degrees, andpreferably 70 degrees from the horizontal, while the bottom portion 302is at an angle β of approximately 5 to 45 degrees, and preferably 15degrees from the horizontal.

The extensions described herein are not only able to be attached to theseed tube or planters for the proper extension into the seed furrow, butcan also be attached to other parts of the planter or drill as isnecessary with the proper attachment brackets. The proper attachmentbrackets, each having an upper end and a lower end, allow the extensionto be attached to virtually any model of planter or drill available. Forinstance, with the appropriate attachment bracket such as those shown inFIGS. 38 through 46, the extension 250 can be attached to anInternational Harvester 5100, 5300 and 5400 model drills, in addition tothe Great Plains drill, the John Deere 455, 515, 1520 and 8300 drills aswell as the Tye drill.

Typically, when the extension 250 is mounted on a planter, the extensionis attached to the seed tube 50, and when the extension is attached to adrill, the extension is normally attached to the scraper or another partof the drill since a drill type device does not use a seed tube. Theseattachment brackets for attachment of the extension 250 facilitate thesecure placement of the extension 250 in the proper location to extendadequately into the seed furrow 38. The combination of the bracket andthe extension is considered an attachment assembly.

The attachment bracket 280 for use on the International Harvester 5100,5300 and 5400 model drills is shown in FIGS. 38 and 39. These modeldrills include a support structure 282 having a downwardly orientedL-shape member 283 which supports the spaced disks 284 (only one shown).The bracket 280 includes three sections angulated from each adjacentsection. The first or top section 286 is positioned relativelyhorizontally and defines two apertures 288 at one end for attachment tothe support structure 284. The second section 290 depends substantiallydownwardly from the top section and forms an approximate right anglewith the top section. The bottom section 292 extends downwardly andrearwardly at an obtuse angle from the middle section and defines anaperture 294 for receiving the attachment means 296, such as a bolt andnut, to secure the extension 298 thereto. The top portion 306 of theextension 298 rests on the top surface 308 of the third section of thebracket 280 and provides support to the extension 298. A brace plate 310can be positioned on the top surface of the top portion 306 of theextension 298 to sandwich or clamp the top portion 306 of the extensionsecurely to the bottom section 292 of the bracket 280.

The bracket 280 has a general Z-shape as described above, with the firstsection 286 being wider than the second 290 and third sections 292. Theattachment of the extension 298 to the bottom downwardly and rearwardlyextending third section 292 properly positions the extension 298 at theproper height and entry angle into the seed furrow 38. The brace plate310 allows the extension 298 to be secured to the bottom section 292 ofthe bracket 280 with only one fastener 296, as shown in FIGS. 38 and 39.The top section 286 is approximately 2¼″ wide and 3″ long. The middlesection 290 is approximately ⅞″ wide and 7″ long. The bottom section 292is approximately ⅞″ wide and 5″ long. The bracket 280 is made of ¼″thick metal. The wide top section 286 allows for secure attachment tothe structure 282 in preexisting apertures. The relatively thin secondand third sections are advantageous for not interfering with the disksor the seed path. The length of the various sections is carefullydesigned so as to properly position with the extension in the furrow 38.

The bracket 312 for use with the Great Plains drill is shown in FIGS.40, 41 and 42. The attachment bracket for the Great Plains drillincludes a top 314, middle 316 and bottom 318 sections. The Great Plainsdrill includes a strut member 320 supporting the disks 322 and closerwheels 324. Closely adjacent to but behind the disks 322, and extendingbetween the disks from the strut 320 is the scraper 326. The attachmentbracket 312 attaches the extension 298 to the scraper 326.

The attachment bracket 312 includes the top 314, middle 316 and bottom318 section forming a generally Z-shape. The top section 314 isrelatively short (approximately 1″ by 1″) and defines an aperture 328adjacent to the connection with the middle section 316. The middlesection 316 (approximately 5″ long by 1″ wide) depends downwardly andforwardly, when mounted on the scraper 326, from the top section 314.The bottom section 318 (approximately 2½″ long by 1″ wide) is attachedto the middle section 316 and depends downwardly and rearwardly from themiddle section when the bracket 312 is affixed to the scraper 326, asshown in FIG. 41. The middle section 316 defines an aperture 330 atabout its midpoint, and the bottom section 318 defines a pair ofapertures 332. The aperture 330 in the middle portion 316 is used inconjunction with any known type of fastener 334 to attach the bracket312 to the scraper 326.

One of the two apertures 332 in the bottom portion 318 is used to attachthe top portion 306 of the extension 298 to the bottom portion 336 ofthe bracket 312, as shown in FIGS. 40, 41 and 42. The extension 298attaches to a bottom or forwardly facing surface 338 of the bottomsection 318 of the bracket 312, and the top portion 306 of the extension298 extends upwardly therefrom to form a V with the middle section 316of the bracket 312, as best shown in FIGS. 40 and 41. A brace plate 340can be used on the bottom or backside 342 of the top portion 306 of theextension 298 to clamp and firmly position, in conjunction with thefastener 334, the top portion 306 of the extension 298 to the bottom orforwardly facing surface 338 of the bottom section 318 of the bracket312. The attachment bracket 312, having this particular shape anddimension, for the Great Plains drill places the extension 298 at thedesired location in the seed furrow with respect to disks 322, thatposition being extending down into the seed furrow preferably withoutengaging the bottom portion of the seed furrow.

The attachment bracket 344 for use with the John Deere 455, 515, 1520and 8300 model drills is shown in FIGS. 43 and 44. The John Deere drillsmentioned above include a support structure 346 which supports the disks348 (only one shown), as shown in FIG. 45. The bracket 344 attaches tothe scraper 350 such that when the extension 298 is attached to thebracket 344 the extension 298 is placed in the desired position withrespect to the disks 348 and in the furrow 38 itself. The bracket 344has a general L-shape forming a top 352, middle 354 and bottom 356section each angulated from the adjacent section. The top section 352(approximately 2¼″ long by 1″ wide) defines an aperture 358 for use withany known fastener 360 such as a nut and bolt to attach the bracket 344to the support structure 346 as shown in FIG. 44. When attached to thesupport structure 346, the top section 352 of the bracket 344 extendsupwardly and rearwardly of the direction in which the drill is moved.The middle section 354 (approximately 2½″ long by 1″ wide) extendssubstantially horizontally in a forward direction from the first section352. The third section 356 (approximately 4¼″ long and 1″ wide) extendsdownwardly and rearwardly from the middle section 354 and receives thetop section 306 of the extension 298. The bottom section 356 of thebracket 344 defines an aperture 362 for use with a fastener 364 such asa nut and bolt to secure the top portion 306 of the extension 298thereto. The top surface 366 of the top portion 306 of the extension 298mates with the downwardly and forwardly facing surface 368 of the thirdsection 356 of the bracket 344, as shown in FIG. 44. A brace plate 370,defining an aperture 372 therein, can be used to further secure andclamp the top portion 306 of the extension 298 to the third section 356of the bracket 344. By attaching the extension 298 to the third section356 of the bracket 344, the extension is positioned properly in thefurrow 38 and with respect to the disks 348. The unique shape of thebracket 344 is important to the proper placement of the extension 298 inthe furrow 38.

The attachment bracket 372 for use on the Tye drill is shown in FIGS. 45and 46. The Tye drill includes a scraper 374, as shown in FIG. 46,positioned next to and in contact with the inside edge of the disks 376(only one shown). The attachment bracket 372 for the Tye drill has twosections, an upper 378 and a lower 380 section. The upper section 378(approximately 3½″ long by 1″ wide) has a continuous curve and ispositioned in a upwardly and rearwardly directed orientation whenattached to the scraper 374. The lower section 380 (approximately 2¼″long by 1″ wide) extends downwardly and rearwardly at a substantiallyright angle to the end 382 of the upper section 378, for receiving theupper portion 306 of the extension 298. The upper section 378 of thebracket 384 defines an aperture 384 for receiving any type of fastener386, such as a nut and bolt for attaching the bracket 372 to the scraper374. The lower section 380 also defines an aperture 388 to receive afastener 390, such as a nut and bolt, for attaching the upper portion306 of the extension 298 thereto. A brace plate 392, defining anaperture 394, can be used to secure and clamp the upper portion 306 ofthe extension 298 to the back or rearwardly facing side 396 of the lowersection 380 of the bracket 372. When the extension 298 is attached tothe bracket 372 for the Tye drill, as described above, the extension isproperly placed in the furrow 38 and in addition with respect to thedisks 376.

Each of the brackets is made of a durable material, such as metal whichallows some flexibility and deformability as is necessary. Thetransition between the different segments in each of the above bracketscould be by curvature, while angular orientation between each of thesegments is preferred. One of the benefits of these brackets in additionto allowing the extension to be used with many types of planters anddrills is that it effectively connects the extension 298 to the planteror drill and allows the extension 298 to flex as necessary when theextension comes into contact with root balls, rocks or other obstacles.The attachment structure option set forth earlier in the specificationcan all be used to attach the extensions 298 to the brackets.

The extensions have been described herein as attaching to seed tubes onplanters, and scrapers on drills. It is contemplated that since somedrills also include seed tubes, the extensions can be attached to theappropriate structure given the particular device. In addition, someplanters, such as the Case/IH 800, 900, 950, and 955 models, include aseed boot 398 as shown in FIG. 47 that is positioned between the disks(not shown). The extension 298 can attach, using a fastener 299,directly to the seed boot 398, and a brace plate 400 may be necessary tosecurely position the extension 298 to the boot 398. The seed tube 402typically extends through the seed boot 398. Typically, the seed boot398 does not form the furrow.

In addition, some planters, such as the IH 56 model, include a seed shoe404 (which includes a seed boot 406), as shown in FIG. 48. The seed shoe404 is typically positioned between disks 405. The extension 298 can beattached to an intermediate support member 407, which in turn isattached to the rearward end 408 of the seed shoe 404, using a fastener410, and optionally also with a brace plate 412 if a more sturdyconnection is required. Typically, the seed shoe 404 does not form thefurrow.

Further, the extensions 298 are able to be attached to the trailing end414 of a runner/opener 416, such as that shown in FIG. 49. The front end418 of the runner/opener 416 defines a plow blade 420 to form the furrow38. The extension 298 is attached to the trailing end 414 of therunner/opener 416 using a fastener 422, such as a bolt and nut.Sometimes a transverse mounting brace 424 having an aperture 426 isrequired to be positioned on the runner/opener to which the extension298 is secured.

The extension 428, including each extension described in the embodimentsabove, is contemplated for use with granular fertilizer or chemicals.The granular fertilizer or chemical is typically applied to the bottomof the furrow from a point just behind the location where the seed isdropped (i.e. out of the seed tube). In order to facilitate thepositioning of the granulated fertilizer or chemical in the bottom ofthe furrow, an aperture 430 is formed through the extension 428 in thelower portion 432 of the extension, as shown in FIG. 50. Preferably,there are a plurality of apertures 430, each with a sloped, orcounter-sunk, profile to help funnel the granulated fertilizer orchemical through the apertures 430. Where the aperture 430 or aperturesare positioned along the longitudinal centerline of the extension 428,the granulated fertilizer or chemical is more likely to reach the bottomportion of the furrow. The apertures 430 can be circular, oval, orelongated, and the plurality of apertures can be replaced by anelongated slot. However, the strength and integrity of the extension 428is least affected by separate apertures 430.

A clip 434 for securing a fertilizer tube 154 (as shown in FIG. 26) canbe positioned on the top surface 436 of the bottom portion 438 of theextension 440 for releasably securing the tube thereto. Preferably, theclip 434 is positioned on the longitudinal centerline of the extension.The clip generally has a stem 442 attached to the extension 440, and aC-shaped receptacle 444 attached to the top of the stem 442 for securelyreceiving a tube 154. The clip 434 helps maintain the desired positionof the fertilizer tube on the extension 440 and in the furrow. Withoutthe clip 434, the end of the tube adjacent the end of the extension canmove relatively freely and can possibly even ride outside of the furrow,which would detrimentally affect the application of the fertilizer andreduce its beneficial effects.

Presently preferred embodiments of the present invention and many of itsimprovements have been described with a degree of particularity. Thisdescription has been made by way of preferred example and is based on apresent understanding of knowledge available regarding the invention. Itshould be understood, however, that the scope of the present inventionis defined by following claims, and not necessarily by the detaileddescription of the preferred embodiment.

What is claimed is:
 1. An extension for use with a furrow opener forproperly placing seeds in a furrow, the furrow opener including a tubeadapted to deposit a liquid into the seed furrow, the seed furrow havinga centrally located bottom portion and upwardly and outwardly extendingsidewalls defining a maximum width dimension, and the sidewallsintersecting at a vertex in the bottom portion and defining a minimumwidth dimension, such that the seed furrow has a decreasing width, saidextension comprising: a body member which provides a generallydownwardly and rearwardly sweeping orientation, and also defining anupper segment and a lower segment; the upper segment attachable to thefurrow opener; the lower segment configured to depend downwardly andrearwardly from the furrow opener and extendible into the furrow; and aclip attached to the lower segment, the clip adapted to secure the tubeto the lower segment.
 2. The extension of claim 1 wherein the clipdefines an aperture adapted to secure the tube to the lower segment. 3.The extension of claim 1 wherein the clip defines a C-shaped receptacleadapted to releasably secure the tube to the lower segment.
 4. Theextension of claim 1 wherein the lower segment of the extension definesa longitudinal centerline positioned generally over the vertex of theseed furrow, and wherein the clip is attached to the lower segment alongthe longitudinal centerline.
 5. The extension of claim 1 wherein theclip is adapted to position the tube over the vertex of the seed furrow.6. The extension of claim 3 wherein the clip includes a stem attached tothe lower segment and supporting the generally C-Shaped receptacle. 7.The extension of claim 1 wherein the lower segment has a width dimensiondecreasing along its length, the width dimension substantially equal tobut less than the decreasing width of the furrow as the lower segmentextends into the furrow.
 8. The extension of claim 1 wherein the lowersegment is downwardly concave.
 9. The extension of claim 1 wherein thelower segment is upwardly concave.
 10. An extension for use with afurrow opener for properly placing seeds in a seed furrow, the furrowopener including a tube adapted to deposit a liquid into the seedfurrow, the seed furrow having a centrally located bottom portion andupwardly and outwardly extending sidewalls defining a maximum widthdimension, and the sidewalls intersecting at a vertex in the bottomportion and defining a minimum width dimension, such that the seedfurrow has a decreasing width, said extension comprising: an elongatedflexible body member defining a general arcuate shape which provides agenerally downwardly and rearwardly sweeping orientation, and alsodefining an upper segment and a lower segment; the upper segmentattachable to the furrow opener; the lower segment configured to dependdownwardly and rearwardly from the furrow opener and extendible into theseed furrow, the lower segment having a lower surface having adownwardly convex shape, and the lower segment having a width dimensiondecreasing along its length, the width dimension substantially equal tobut less than the decreasing width of the seed furrow as the lowersegment extends into the furrow; a clip attached to the lower segmentadapted to receive the tube; and the lower segment terminating at atrailing end, the trailing end configured to be spaced above thecentrally located bottom portion of the seed furrow.
 11. An extensionfor use with a furrow opener for properly placing seeds in a seedfurrow, the furrow opener including a tube adapted to deposit a liquidinto the seed furrow, the seed furrow having a centrally located bottomportion and upwardly and outwardly extending sidewalls defining amaximum width dimension, and the sidewalls intersecting at a vertex inthe bottom portion and defining a minimum width dimension, such that theseed furrow has a decreasing width, said extension comprising: means fordeflecting seeds into the vertex of the furrow; and means for attachingthe means for deflecting seeds to the furrow opener.
 12. The extensionof claim 11 further comprising means for securing a hose to the meansfor deflecting seeds.